Violent protests rock Manipur's Kangpokpi

Violent demonstrations erupted in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on September 19, 2026, over the alleged detention of six villagers by security forces, officials reported on September 20, 2026. The unrest persisted from 10 p.m. on Saturday until around midnight in Motbung and surrounding areas, as agitators burned tires on roads and hurled stones at government vehicles.

The protestors alleged that the six villagers from Kholen were detained without cause. Kholen, situated near the Naga-dominated Chawangkining village, had recently faced an attack by armed miscreants. Security forces deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, and some protesters used heavy machinery to obstruct the National Highway-2 between Imphal and Dimapur to hinder the movement of security personnel.

A few agitators sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Security forces subsequently released the detained village volunteers, leading to the cessation of the protests. The situation is now under control, according to a senior official.